Anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar shot dead

Anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar shot dead

PUNE: In a setback to the progressive movement in Maharashtra, leading anti-superstition activistNarendra Dabholkar was shot dead by two unidentified assailants while he was out on a morning walk on Tuesday.

Known for his over two-decade long campaign against outdated and inhuman social practices, Dabholkar was currently engaged in mobilising public opinion and holding discussions with Maharashtra government for passing an 'anti-superstition and black magic' law in the state legislature, opposed by certain sections of the society, including the Warkari sect.

69-year-old Dabholkar, who headed the 'Andhashraddha Nirluman Samiti' (anti-superstition movement), was out for a morning walk when two motorcycle-borne unidentified assailants fired two bullets fromclose range into his head from behind, police said quoting an eyewitness.

The offence took place on the bridge near Omkareshwar Temple in the city in the vicinity of 'Sadhana' magazine, which Dabholkar edited to propagate progressive thought to change social mindset.

Police said Dabholkar, who lay in a pool of blood on the bridge, was identified by a photo in his wallet and a cheque in the name of the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS). He was taken to Sassoon Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

Four bullets were fired at the activist out of which two were lodged in his head, police added.

For Dabholkar, who hailed from Satara, spreading scientific temper and eradicating superstitions and undesirable rituals in the society was a lifelong mission which he carried with zest and rational thought, notwithstanding resistance from retrograde elements.

Maharashtra home minister R R Patil, expressing shock and grief, said he had instructed top police officials to get to the bottom of the reprehensible act and book the culprits using all their "investigative skills".

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R.I.P. The carpetbagging peddlers of superstition scared their shenanigans will fall pray to common sense and education. Hope thiey’re caught soon and the trial begins an explosion of interest in the right way to do things, the ways that work. It would be a fitting tribute. But a terribly sad day today for reason. Deepest condolences to his family.

I cannot help but wonder why his assailants used a gun to assassinate him. Surely some kind of ritual, prayer or voodoo would suffice if you’re that fanatic of a believer? And if those fail, well… apparently the man is right and doesn’t deserve to die.

I know that expecting logical consistency from people who are willing to kill for irrational beliefs is more senseless than teaching a duck the alphabet, but still…

I had never heard of M. Dabholkar before. I’m really sorry it took his death for that to happen. Another martyr to reason and free thought. What a shame… I guess that Sanal Edamaruku was right to flee India after all. This could have happened to him as well had he stayed.

I had never heard of M. Dabholkar before. I’m really sorry it took his death for that to happen. Another martyr to reason and free thought. What a shame… I guess that Sanal Edamaruku was right to flee India after all. This could have happened to him as well had he stayed.

If this man had fled out of India there would not have been 200+ anti superstition centers and a force of 5000 volunteers. Umpteen humans would still be suffering and thousands of animals needlessly sacrificed. Fleeing away from difficult areas and targeting soft Americans is not going to solve the problems.

Sad on every level. The shear illogical stupidity of it all. The fact that one has to resort to murder to stop someone from meddling with their “perfect and all knowing magical sky daddy” who isn’t so perfect he needs under educated fools to do his bidding.